1:02:26
Did Covenant College Put Woke Away?
Conversations That Matter
Overview
This video discusses concerns about "wokeness" and "mission drift" within Christian institutions, focusing on the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and Covenant College. The speaker analyzes recent curriculum changes at Covenant College, arguing they indicate a move away from traditional Christian foundations by incorporating elements of critical theory and prioritizing non-Western perspectives over Western Christian heritage. The discussion also touches on broader trends in evangelical higher education and the challenges of maintaining biblical fidelity in a changing cultural landscape.
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Chapters
- A strong Christian vision for America requires genuine, obedient Christians.
- Christian institutions and denominations must be protected from corruption and doctrinal compromise.
- Christianity has historically been foundational to American greatness, and its decline threatens cultural blessings.
- Honest and accurate assessment of issues within Christian institutions is crucial for reform.
Understanding the foundational role of Christianity in society and the importance of institutional integrity is essential for preserving a Christian legacy for future generations.
The speaker emphasizes the need to protect Christian churches and institutions from 'the cliff of corruption and the other cliff of doctrinal compromise.'
- A Lifeway Research study shows declining compensation for senior pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) while staff ministers saw increases.
- Many SBC churches struggle to provide adequate compensation and health insurance for pastors.
- The trend may indicate a rise in bivocational ministers needing outside employment for benefits.
- Shrinking congregations may be unable to sustain traditional pastoral compensation packages.
These financial trends can impact the sustainability of pastoral ministry and the ability of churches to support their leaders, potentially affecting the overall health of denominations.
The study found that 63% of Southern Baptist churches do not provide any medical coverage for their senior pastors.
- Pastor Burke Parsons, who succeeded R.C. Sproul, was found guilty of being ungentle and domineering but had his slander charge reversed and suspension lifted after repentance.
- A complaint was filed against the Missouri Presbytery for ordaining a same-sex attracted pastor, highlighting ongoing debates within the PCA.
- The PCA is the second-largest Presbyterian denomination, making its internal issues significant for the broader evangelical landscape.
Internal denominational processes and debates, such as those involving pastoral conduct and ordination standards, reveal the challenges evangelical churches face in navigating contemporary social and theological issues.
The Missouri Presbytery, known for its association with the Revoice conference, approved the ordination of a candidate identifying as same-sex attracted.
- Several Christian universities (e.g., University of Northwestern St. Paul, Cornerstone University, Azusa Pacific University) have recently undertaken efforts to refocus on biblical truth and address 'mission drift'.
- These efforts often involve rooting out theological liberalism, cultural assimilation on LGBTQ+ issues, and an overemphasis on the social gospel.
- Some university leaders faced significant faculty opposition when initiating these corrective measures.
- Openly acknowledging and correcting course is presented as a positive approach compared to secret adjustments.
These examples demonstrate a broader trend and a conscious effort within some Christian higher education institutions to reaffirm their foundational beliefs against perceived secularizing influences.
Cornerstone University's new president faced a vote of no confidence from faculty the day before his inauguration, indicating resistance to his mission-focused leadership.
- Covenant College revised its core curriculum, introducing objectives like 'faithful cultural empathy and stewardship through shared experience courses'.
- Critics, like Joe Riggney, argue that terms like 'cultural empathy' and course descriptions focusing on social trends (global poverty, migration) and examining biases signal a 'woke' direction.
- Faculty discussions reveal a desire to integrate Eastern thought into Western Civilization courses and increase diversity, which critics see as de-centering Western Christian heritage.
- The college's official magazine, By Faith, published an interview that sparked the controversy, with a professor arguing against the 'woke' label and emphasizing nuance.
The controversy at Covenant College highlights the tension between traditional Christian educational goals and the increasing influence of social justice concepts in curriculum development.
A course description for 'Keystone: Fostering Shalom in Our Fallen World' aims to develop empathy by understanding social trends like global poverty and international migration, and how students can support related organizations.
- Concerns are raised about faculty members whose work and public statements align with critical race theory or social justice frameworks.
- Examples include professors involved with the Association for Critical Race Art History, discussions on systemic racism, and arguments for inclusive definitions of sexuality.
- The speaker argues that certain course descriptions and faculty involvements suggest an uncritical adoption of social justice concepts, potentially leading students astray.
- The college's vice president for academic affairs, H. Colin Messer, previously organized a chapel series on justice and reconciliation that included CRT advocates, raising questions about his current stance.
The hiring and public statements of faculty members are critical indicators of an institution's direction and can significantly shape student understanding and worldview.
Professor Alisa Yu Kiko Wikbrock is noted as a member of the Association for Critical Race Art History and has written about systemic issues affecting Black and Asian-American communities.
- The speaker believes the threat of 'wokeness' and social justice in evangelical higher education is not exaggerated, citing ignored past warnings.
- Social justice concepts are seen as a threat to the gospel by potentially adding requirements beyond grace through faith (Galatian heresy) or by warping the definition of justice.
- The speaker argues that focusing on social disparities as the primary definition of injustice deviates from a biblical understanding of justice, which centers on appeasing God.
- The curriculum changes at Covenant College are interpreted as de-centering Western civilization and Christian foundations in favor of alternative, non-Western, or critical perspectives.
Understanding how social justice concepts can potentially distort the gospel and biblical definitions of justice is crucial for maintaining theological integrity in Christian education.
The speaker contrasts the biblical call for wisdom with the idea that moral direction should be sought from diverse viewpoints, arguing that scripture itself provides the necessary guidance.
Key takeaways
- Christian institutions must actively guard against doctrinal compromise and cultural assimilation to maintain their biblical mission.
- Curriculum development in Christian higher education requires careful scrutiny to ensure alignment with core theological tenets and avoid the uncritical adoption of secular ideologies.
- The language and concepts used in educational settings can subtly shift institutional focus, making it essential to analyze underlying philosophies.
- Faculty hiring and public statements are significant indicators of an institution's commitment to its stated mission.
- A biblical understanding of justice, focused on God's righteousness and forgiveness, differs fundamentally from social justice concepts that emphasize rectifying societal disparities.
- While learning from other cultures is valuable, it should not come at the expense of de-centering or critiquing foundational Christian and Western civilizational heritage.
- The perceived decline of Christian influence in society necessitates vigilance and proactive efforts to preserve and promote biblical truth within educational institutions.
Key terms
WokeMission DriftPresbyterian Church in America (PCA)Covenant CollegeSocial GospelCritical Race Theory (CRT)Cultural EmpathyWestern CivilizationBiblical FidelityDoctrinal Compromise
Test your understanding
- What are the primary concerns raised about the curriculum changes at Covenant College?
- How does the speaker define the threat of 'wokeness' to the Christian gospel?
- What evidence does the speaker present to suggest that Covenant College may be experiencing 'mission drift'?
- Why is the speaker concerned about the emphasis on 'cultural empathy' and non-Western perspectives in the curriculum?
- What role do faculty members' backgrounds and public statements play in the speaker's assessment of Covenant College?